8 Most Merckxian Moments

1969: The Cannibal Is Born

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Imagine one rider duplicating the 2011 Tour de France efforts of yellow-jersey winner Cadel Evans, green-jersey-wearer Mark Cavendish, and polka-dotted Samuel Sanchez—all in the same year. That's what Merckx did in his debut, taking the overall, points, and climber's titles, plus six stage wins. He would have won the white jersey for best young rider, had it existed.

This never-equaled domination led to his nickname, when the daughter of one French racer said, "That Belgian guy, he doesn't even leave you the crumbs. He's a real cannibal."